(inside information) Could this powerful retired Cardinal be the surprise choice for Pope?

secret source at the Vatican | 4-17-05 | dfu

[doug from upland]

McGwire.

[RichInOC]

Whatever...he's still not ready.

:-)

[Tax-chick]

I don't get the "Gw" thing. It's like the "Qwilleran" character in "The Cat Who" series.

[Cincinna]

The next Pope will probably be conservative on their big issues, like no married priests, women in the priesthood, anti-abortion, anti-contraception, but will be economically socialist, denouncing American materialism and wealth.

[Finalapproach29er]

The guy has become a laughingstock in St. Louis.

He's nearly as big a fraud as "Barry, the middle linebacker". IMO

[A.A. Cunningham]

He can't be ordained a Bishop, Bishop of Rome, in either the Latin or Eastern Rite, thus Canon Law would seem to indicate that he's ineligible. It's for all intents and purposes a moot discussion since a layman hasn't been elected since Celestine V in 1294 and it ain't gonna happen now.

Can. 149 §1 In order to be promoted to an ecclesiastical office, one must be in communion with the Church, and be suitable, that is, possessed of those qualities which are required for that office by universal or particular law or by the law of the foundation.

[doug from upland]

Amazingly, six years ago I wrote a song parody that actually contains your screen name --- PING

[Tax-chick]

Of course it's moot. Humor, you know ... comedy.

[RobbyS]

Stosh is 84 now. He was born in the same year as the late pope. Besides, there is already a statue of "St. Stanislaus" in front of Busch Stadium.

[JohnnyZ]

"....Cardinal Jaime Lachica Sin of the Philippines, and Adolfo Antonio Cardinal Suarez Rivera of Mexico are reportedly too ill to attend."